During a public event at the Canadian embassy, numerous private meetings and interviews, Shannon Joseph had the opportunity to not only bolster confidence in Canadian gas, but to understand how Japanese think about the relationship with Canada as the time quickly approaches for Japan to switch supply away from expiring Russian LNG contracts. The takeaway per Shannon Joseph, “As Japan looks to diversify its energy suppliers, the country has its eyes on Canada as a trusted energy supplier. It’s up to us to deliver.”
This is one in a series of visits to Japan wherein Energy for a Secure Future has lifted up Canada’s LNG potential. A year before in Tokyo on February 10, 2025, Shannon Joseph signed an MOU alongside Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan – IEEJ, and Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance. Since that mission, more progress has occurred from which to build upon. Japan began receiving the first shipments of LNG to ever be exported from Canada in June 2025. Japan has a high demand for not only LNG but also the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that Canada sends to the region and increasing volumes of oil. Recently, Canada sent roughly 14% of its oil to international markets including Asia (up from 3% in 2023).
“Canada has delivered with the success of LNG Canada and we are ready to deliver more,” Shannon Joseph told audiences. She spoke at a Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan event focused on the value of Indigenous-industry partnerships and met with leaders from the Japan Gas Association, the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, along with Canadian and Indigenous partners involved in bilateral energy trade.
More about Shannon Joseph’s February 2026 trip follow bellow.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Event
A public event offered the opportunity for Shannon Joseph to underscore the value of Indigenous-industry partnerships in infrastructure and energy projects driving Canadian competitiveness. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted “A CCCJ Energy Committee Forum: First Nations Engagement as a Competitive Advantage,” and was hosted by the Embassy of Canada, and supported by McMillan LLP, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, the Government of Saskatchewan, and Natural Resources Canada.
Shannon Joseph conducted on-camera interviews
Shannon Joseph conducted interviews with The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Jacob Albertson, CEO of Duz Cho Group of Companies, Jun Nishizawa, a former Mitsubishi Corporation executive who played a leading role in the LNG Canada project, Mark Podlasly, CEO of First Nations Major Projects Coalition, and Tatsuya Terazawa of the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan – IEEJ gave his insights on the Asia-Pacific region and the opportunity for Canada.
Watch for these interviews in the coming weeks!
Japan’s need for Canadian LNG and LPG
Shannon Joseph had multiple opportunities in Tokyo to exchange understanding about Japan’s need for energy resources and Canada’s potential to fulfill it. These included: a discussion of Canadian LPG exports with Koichi Tanaka; joining with Marco Mendicino, Jeremy Barretto, Thomas Isaac and Josef Hocher from Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP in a conversation with the Japan Gas Association; a look at the LNG market with expert Takafumi Yanagisawa, Executive Analyst, at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan – IEEJ; and Jacob Albertson, board member of First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, as well as President of Rockies LNG Partners Charlotte Raggett, Mark Podlasly of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition.
